2019: Mimiko drops presidential ambition, set to vie for Senate seat

The presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Olusegun Mimiko has allegedly dumped his ambition for senatorial seat.

Mimiko, who had earlier dumped the Labour Party, LP for the ZLP to realize his presidential ambition, will have his name substituted for his erstwhile Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro has the Ondo Central Senatorial District candidate, DAILY POST has learnt.

A source within the ZLP, who is also a strong ally of Adegbenro, confirmed to DAILY POST that the development has disrupted political calculations within the party.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said that the new move by the former Governor of Ondo State was reached after an inner caucus meeting of members of his “think-tank”.

He also frowned at the sudden U-turn of Mimiko, which he described an inconsistency.

“Yes, I can tell you that the U-turn has been finalized.

“But it’s quite unfortunate that he could be doing this to Gboye.

“He (Gboye) has been the one financing the party even when he was with him in Labour Party.

“Gboye has been a loyal man to Mimiko, he served under him as governor for eight years under various capacities. Iroko shouldn’t have done this to him.

“Even if he must dribble, which we all know him for, he shouldn’t have done it to Gboye,” the source stated.

Meanwhile, in a message sent to our correspondent after efforts to speak to the Mimiko’s camp on the development, the Special Assistant to the former governor on Media, John Paul Akinduro who did not dispel the development outrightly or confirmed it, however, said no official statement has been issued to that effect.

“My phone has been ringing, stakeholders wanting to confirm the rumour. Please note! it’s still a rumour, unconfirmed report and mere conjecture, if you are yet to receive an official statement from us,” he said.